http://www.creativebiomart.net/description_382920_12.htm

Syndecan-1, also known as SYND1, CD138 and SDC1, is a single-pass type I membrane protein which belongs to the syndecan proteoglycan family. CD138 / Syndecan-1 is well known to be associated with cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration in various types of malignancies. It is a cell surface proteoglycan that bears both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate and that links the cytoskeleton to the interstitial matrix. CD138 / Syndecan-1 is a cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan expressed on most epithelial cells, and decreased CD138 expression is associated with increased invasive and metastatic potential in carcinomas. Within the hematopoietic system, CD138 is an excellent marker of plasmacytic differentiation. CD138 / Syndecan-1 is a cell surface proteoglycan that binds cells to the extracellular matrix and its expression is down-regulated in many cellular transformation models. CD138 / Syndecan-1 is a new simple non-invasive marker for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The relevance of this marker in combination with other fibrosis markers should be explored. CD138 / Syndecan-1 might contribute to urothelial carcinoma cell survival and progression. It could be a new therapeutic target in urinary bladder cancer.